JUST IN: PARLIAMENT REJECTS NKANA MP BINWELL MPUNDU’S MOTION TO RESTRICT MINING OF GOLD, SUGILITE, AND EMERALDS TO THE STATE
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Parliament has rejected a Private Member’s Motion moved by Nkana Member of Parliament, Binwell Mpundu, seeking to have the government restrict the mining of gold, sugilite, and emeralds exclusively to the State.
The motion, seconded by Kamfinsa MP Christopher Kang’ombe, urged the government to take full control of the mining of the three minerals in a bid to enhance state participation in the sector.
However, the proposal failed to gain broad support, as several Members of Parliament including Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe opposed the motion, arguing that similar state-led policies in the past did not yield significant economic growth.
The matter was subsequently resolved in the negative, meaning the motion was not adopted by the House.
NEWS: The Democratic Alliance (DA) says President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola’s silence on the unlawful jailing of Tanzanian opposition leader shows allegiance to autocrats over democracy.
Tanzania’s opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, was arrested earlier this year and charged with treason, facing a potential death penalty.
The country is holding its general election today. The DA’s Ryan Smith says Lissu’s detainment marks an alarming trend of democratic backsliding that has become commonplace in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Smith says South Africa must act to defend democracy in SADC or risk regional instability.
⬆️ BREAKING | Mob Destroys Property After Coffin Discovery in Mpika
A violent mob has ransacked and set fire to property belonging to a prominent businessman in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, after a mysterious coffin was reportedly discovered at his residence near the Lake Oil station area.
Eyewitnesses say the crowd descended on the home Wednesday, pelting the property with stones before breaking through the main gate. In images captured by photojournalist Lazarous Kaunda, vehicles are seen scorched and destroyed, windows shattered, and furniture strewn across the compound.
Charred debris and a trail of smoke mark what appears to have been a fierce confrontation between residents and security officers.
The mob accused the businessman of undisclosed “ritual activity,” though no evidence has been confirmed. Police sources say officers were later deployed to the scene to disperse the crowd and secure the property, but tension remains high in the area.
As of this report, the Zambia Police Service has not issued an official statement on the incident, and the circumstances surrounding the coffin’s discovery remain unclear.
Authorities are expected to open investigations into both the alleged discovery and the subsequent destruction of property.
More Ai Powered grain Silos for Zimbabwe PRESIDENT of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has commissioned artificial intelligence (AI)-powered silos at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Mutare
The project is one among several others being implemented by Government as part of broader initiatives to construct such silos at 14 sites countrywide in two years, with the first having been commissioned in May.
AI-powered grain silos use technology to monitor and control the environment inside the silo to preserve grain quality. These advanced systems integrate Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to continuously measure temperature, humidity, and moisture, while AI algorithms automatically adjust environmental controls to prevent spoilage and pests.
This technology aims to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food security, and stabilize food prices, with Zimbabwe being one of the first countries globally to establish these complexes, it is leading the way in agricultural modernization, as seen in the Kwekwe facility and now Mutare.
EFF PRESIDENT KASONDE MWENDA SUES GOVERNMENT OVER ELECTRICITY EXPORTS
By Makasa chanda
Lusaka 29th October 2025
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zambia president Kasonde Chrispus Mwenda has taken the Zambian government and its key energy institutions to court, accusing them of violating citizens’ constitutional rights by exporting electricity while locals face severe power shortages.
According to court documents filed in the High Court for Zambia, Principal Registry, Lusaka, Mwenda has applied for leave to commence judicial review proceedings against the Attorney General, the Minister of Energy, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO).
Mwenda argues that the export of electricity to neighboring countries during a time of national shortage is unconstitutional and breaches statutory obligations under the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019. He claims that Zambians are being left with access to electricity for as little as four hours a day, while power continues to be exported abroad.
The application cites Sections 17 and 18 of the Electricity Act, which require authorities to prioritize domestic electricity needs and empower the Minister of Energy and ERB to declare an emergency to curtail exports in times of shortage.
“The continued exportation of electricity amidst prolonged load shedding amounts to a violation of Zambians’ constitutional right to access essential services,” the application reads in part.
Mwenda’s legal challenge is brought under Order 53 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (1965, White Book Edition), which governs applications for judicial review. The case seeks the court’s permission to proceed with a substantive hearing.
The respondents including the Attorney General, the Minister of Energy, ERB, and ZESCO are expected to respond once leave is granted.
This case comes amid growing public frustration over extended power cuts across the country, with some areas reportedly experiencing up to 20 hours of load shedding daily. Many Zambians have questioned the government’s decision to maintain power export agreements while domestic consumers endure blackouts.
If the High Court grants Mwenda’s application, the judicial review could force the government to reconsider or suspend electricity exports until national supply stabilizes.
Mazabuka Central MP Gary Nkombo’s declaration that “old MPs will only retire together with Hichilema in 2031” has reopened a quiet but growing fault line within the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). It captures a deeper struggle between the party’s liberation veterans and the impatient generation that wants renewal before the next election.
Nkombo’s defence of long-serving MPs, couched in loyalty and sacrifice, reflects the sentiment of a founding guard that equates seniority with entitlement. “Where were you when we were being beaten?” he asked, invoking the party’s years in opposition as moral credit for continued tenure. His appeal is emotional, but politically risky. It ties longevity to legitimacy in a climate where citizens are demanding performance, not history.
The UPND’s dilemma is structural. Twenty-three years in opposition built a party culture of endurance, loyalty, and internal hierarchy. But government requires adaptability and generational transition. Many of its youthful supporters who powered the 2021 victory now view the old guard as gatekeepers of privilege, not guardians of principle. The call for change is not simply rebellion, it reflects shifting demographics and rising expectations within the base.
Yet, Nkombo’s argument carries a truth about political memory. Parties that purge veterans too quickly risk losing institutional knowledge and the discipline that held them together in opposition. A complete generational sweep could fracture the party and weaken its cohesion in Parliament. The challenge is to reform without erasing the experience that anchors the movement.
What the UPND faces is less a clash of ambition and more a test of political evolution. If renewal is delayed until 2031, the risk is that younger voices may disengage or drift toward alternative movements. If change comes too abruptly, it could destabilize a party still learning the weight of incumbency. The equilibrium lies in planned transition: mentorship, internal primaries, and performance-based retention, not emotional loyalty tests.
Nkombo’s words, while defiant, expose a wider anxiety in the UPND: how to move from struggle politics to statecraft, from comradeship to competence. The opposition years forged unity in pain. The governing years now demand unity in progress. Whether the party can make that shift before 2026 will determine if it remains a liberation story or becomes a renewal story.
LINDA KASONDE COMPARES UPND TO PF, WARNS OVER SHRINKING CIVIC FREEDOMS
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Renowned lawyer and LCK Freedom Foundation Executive Director Linda Kasonde has accused the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of failing to uphold its promises on the rule of law and democratic expansion, claiming that civic freedoms are shrinking in Zambia.
Speaking on Hot FM’s Hot Seat program, Kasonde said civil society organizations had previously engaged the government on key reforms, including constitutional amendments, changes to the Public Order Act, the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act, and the withdrawal of the NGO Bill.
She criticized the government for not amending the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act to align with freedom of expression and assembly, arguing that many citizens now fear arrest for expressing their views, which she described as a violation of human rights.
Ms. Kasonde further compared the current administration to the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government, stating that while opposition parties were repressed under PF, they could still assemble unlike now, where she claims political opponents are increasingly jailed, threatening representation in Parliament.
She expressed deep concern over the rising number of arrests targeting opposition figures and urged the government to recommit to democratic principles and civil liberties. #SunFmTvNews
PEP COMMENDS EASTERN PROVINCE CHIEFS FOR WITHHOLDING THEIR SUBMISSIONS
The Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) says it happy that Traditional Leaders in the Eastern Province of Zambia have decided to withhold their submissions to the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendment, pending appropriate consultations with their subjects, as well as with the paramount chiefs.
Party leader Sean Tembo says no traditional leader, in their right frame of mind, would proceed to make submissions to the Technical Committee, and claim that such submissions are representative of his or her subjects, when those subjects have not yet been consulted.
The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has declined to participate in the ongoing public consultations being conducted by the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments, citing a lack of legitimacy, inclusiveness, and transparency in the process.
In a statement, NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the current constitutional review process is a continuation of the widely rejected Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, a move the organization believes is politically motivated and designed to achieve a predetermined outcome ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
The organization argues that the process should focus on developing a long-term, people-driven, and inclusive constitutional framework that promotes justice, equity, and accountability, rather than being tied to electoral interests.
Ms. Katebe also raised concerns over the composition of the Technical Committee, noting that members were appointed in their individual capacities rather than as representatives of key stakeholder institutions, with limited inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities.
The Council further criticized the Committee’s Terms of Reference for concentrating on political and electoral issues at the expense of critical socio-economic rights.
As a result, NGOCC has called on all well-meaning citizens to reject what it describes as a flawed, election-centric process and reaffirmed its commitment to pushing for genuine reforms that ensure the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in decision-making spaces
CONSULT CITIZENS AT DISTRICT LEVEL BEFORE PROCEEDING TO PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL – KALABA
… says genuine people-driven constitutional reforms must begin with broad-based and inclusive participation from the grassroots.
LUSAKA, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 [Smart Eagles]
Citizens First party – CF says it deeply concerned by the failure of the Technical Committee on the Constitution amendment process to consult citizens at the district level before proceeding to the provincial and national levels.
CF President Harry Kalaba in a statement released to Smart Eagles said the omission defeats the very essence for which the Technical Committee was constituted, which is to ‘consult’ the people and draft amendments to the Constitution.
He said genuine people-driven constitutional reforms must begin with broad-based and inclusive participation from the grassroots.
Mr. Kalaba adds that the Technical Committee’s approach, therefore, goes against the spirit and guidance of the Constitutional Court, which previously ruled that the process leading to Bill 7 was unconstitutional due to inadequate consultation.
“By deliberately bypassing district-level engagement, the conduct of the Technical Committee is itself unconstitutional. Even more alarming is that the Committee continues to conduct its business in English without translation services and insists on written submissions. This effectively excludes a vast number of Zambians who cannot read or write English and risks producing an elitist Constitution devoid of legitimacy and public ownership,” Mr. Kalaba said.
“It is unacceptable that organisations such as Caritas Zambia, the Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and several traditional leaders have boycotted making submissions to the Committee. These boycotts are a clear indication that the ongoing process lacks transparency, inclusivity, and credibility. It is increasingly evident that the Technical Committee’s work is nothing more than an attempt to rubber-stamp the rejected provisions of Bill 7,” he said.
Mr. Mr. Kalaba has since urged President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately abandon what he termed a ‘sham’ Constitution amendment process.
“Instead of wasting scarce public resources on an exercise that is not a priority, President Hichilema should focus his attention on urgent national issues such as reducing the cost of living, lowering fuel prices, creating jobs, and ending the persistent load-shedding crisis, which he has publicly admitted his government has failed to resolve,” Mr. Kalaba said.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Zambia. Any attempt to amend it without their full participation is not only undemocratic but also unconstitutional,” Mr. Kalaba said.
….the manner in which the UPND is handling Bill 7 is no better than what the PF did with Bill 10
Kitwe….Wednesday October 29, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has accused the UPND Government of undermining the rule of law and the separation of powers in the handling of Bill 7, the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill that was recently withdrawn from Parliament.
Mr Sinkamba said the Government’s decision to withdraw the Bill a day before the Constitutional Court was scheduled to deliver judgment on its constitutionality “amounts to an abuse of procedure” and suggests that the Executive acted to evade a potentially adverse ruling.
“By withdrawing the Bill on the eve of the Constitutional Court’s judgment, the Government effectively avoided judicial scrutiny. This undermines the principle of constitutional supremacy and weakens the authority of the courts,” Mr Sinkamba said in a statement issued to Smart Eagles.
He likened the UPND’s handling of Bill 7 to the Patriotic Front’s controversial Bill 10 of 2020, which was rejected by Parliament amid public outcry and legal concerns.
“The manner in which the UPND is handling Bill 7 is no better than what the PF did with Bill 10,” he said.
“Both processes ignored public consensus and sought to push through divisive amendments using questionable procedures.”
Mr Sinkamba also questioned the legality of the Consultative Committee recently appointed by President Hakainde Hichilema to collect public submissions on the proposed amendments, arguing that it lacks a clear legal mandate.
“The committee appears to have been appointed outside any known legal framework such as the Inquiries Act or an Act of Parliament. This makes it an ad hoc political body rather than a legitimate constitutional mechanism,” he said.
He noted that the rejection of the consultation process by several stakeholders, particularly in the Eastern and Western Provinces, reflects growing public mistrust and validates concerns about the committee’s credibility.
“A process of this importance must have national consensus and stakeholder buy-in. What we are seeing is the opposite regions and groups boycotting what they see as a token consultation,” he stated.
Mr Sinkamba called on the Government to immediately withdraw the Consultative Committee and Bill 7 altogether, arguing that the process has been fatally compromised.
“The initial withdrawal of the Bill to avoid a court ruling created an indelible mark of bad faith. Continuing to pursue it through an illegal process only deepens that perception,” he indicated.
“If constitutional reform is still necessary, let it begin afresh through a lawful, transparent, and inclusive process that respects the separation of powers and genuinely reflects the will of the Zambian people.”
Mr Sinkamba warned that continuing with Bill 7 in its current form risks eroding public trust in the UPND Government, which came to power on a promise to uphold the rule of law and democratic governance.
“For a government that campaigned on restoring constitutional order, this is a profound contradiction,” he said.
“The only way forward with integrity is to start over, legally and inclusively.”
Mporokoso member of parliament Brian Mundubile (PF) says even if President Hakainde Hichilema starts early campaigns, he has nothing to tell the Zambian people.
Last Sunday President Hichilema donated K1.2 million to the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) during their 60th anniversary celebrations in Kabwe.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Mundubile said the Zambian people need answers from President Hichilema on why the nation is grappling with more than 20 hours of loadshedding.
“The people that he is going to face need answers from him on loadshedding which is over 20 hours of loadshedding. The people want to find out why hospitals have no medicine. Those people want to find out why there have been no major infrastructure
Democratic Union President Ackim Antony Njobvu says people should feel the impact of economic achievements that the the UPND government claims to have achieved.
The outspoken opposition leader has observed that the UPND team are good at giving statistics, saying the New Dawn government is living in denial.
Speaking Wednesday morning on Pan African radio, Njobvu says government should accept that they have failed and should stop explaining things to Zambians.
He added that if the economy has improved as claimed by government, they would have not embarked on issuing statements and holding press briefings explaining themselves.
Njobvu has argued that citizens should feel the impact of “claimed” economic improvements, further stating that nothing has changed as the cost of living is higher than they found it, and that load shedding had worsened under their administration, among other hardships government has subjected the people.
KABWE COURT HANDS DOWN 1 YEAR SENTENCE ON BOWMAN Lusambo FOR UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY
The vocal opposition politician stopped to buy a pie at a restaurant in Kabwe on his way to Lusaka when supporters surrounded him and later got arrested for unlawful assembly.
Supporters cheer after seeing the bulldozer leave the courthouse this afternoon.
Riots in Tanzania Halt Traffic at Nakonde–Tunduma Border
By Gladwell Simwawa Chete fm-Nakonde
Traffic at the Nakonde –Tunduma border has come to a standstill following riots that have erupted in neighboring Tanzania amid the ongoing national elections.
As of 15:00 hours, there was no movement of vehicles, with long queues of trucks stretching along the Great North Road into Nakonde’s Central Business District.
Tanzanian police were seen in full riot gear near polling stations close to the no man’s land area, moving polling staff and party agents to safety.
A Tanzanian tanker driver, Muhammad Mwanang’amba, told Chete FM News that the unrest was unnecessary and would only harm ordinary citizens, not political leaders.
He suggested the violence may have been incited by supporters of political figures barred from contesting, noting that some of his friends had torn their voter cards in protest.
Mr. Mwanang’amba expressed hope that peace would return soon so he could reunite with his family, saying he was worried about the instability in his country.
Meanwhile, three people two Zambians and one Tanzanian were shot and injured earlier at the Malawi – Malawi trading area between Tunduma and Nakonde.
The victims, aged between 15 and 30, were rushed to Nakonde District Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
One of them said the shooting occurred while they were in the no man’s land zone.
The violence coincides with Tanzania’s national elections, which have been marred by reports of tension, arrests, and violent confrontations.
Human rights groups such Amnesty International have expressed concern over alleged abuses by security forces, warning that such actions undermine the legitimacy of the vote.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is seeking a second term in an election that observers say faces little opposition.
Authorities on both sides of the Nakonde–Tunduma border have yet to issue a formal statement on when traffic flow will resume.
FNB ZAMBIA FINALISES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE STANDARD CHARTERED’S RETAIL AND WEALTH BANKING BUSINESS
Lusaka…. Wednesday October 29, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)
In a significant development for Zambia’s financial sector, First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has finalised an agreement with Standard Chartered Bank Zambia for the transfer of Standard Chartered’s Wealth and Retail Banking business to FNB Zambia.
The agreement marks a major milestone for both institutions and reflects growing confidence in Zambia’s banking industry.
The transaction, once completed, will see FNB Zambia expand its footprint and customer base, further cementing its position as one of the country’s leading financial service providers.
Speaking on the development, FNB Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Kapumpe Chola, said the acquisition underscores the strength and resilience of Zambia’s financial landscape.
“This strategic move underscores the confidence we have in the Zambian economy and the opportunities it presents. It allows us to expand our offering, deliver enhanced value to customers, and contribute to the continued growth of the banking sector,” said Mr. Chola.
The integration of Standard Chartered’s Retail and Wealth Banking customers into FNB Zambia’s ecosystem is expected to deliver a broader range of digital banking solutions, innovative financial products, and improved access to financial services across the country.
FNB Zambia, a subsidiary of FirstRand Group of South Africa, has continued to expand its presence in the market through digital innovation, tailored financial solutions, and investment in local talent.
I am Not the Kafwaya in Question – Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya Clarifies
Lusaka, Zambia – October 29, 2025
Lunte Member of Parliament Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya has dispelled social media speculation linking him to the list of former ministers who allegedly overstayed in office after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016 as reported by News Diggers’s Newspaper.
Speaking in an exclusively with Zambia Political Watch this morning following on a query from various reporters, Hon. Kafwaya clarified that the “Kafwaya” referred to in Vice-President Mutale Nalumango’s remarks in Parliament was not him, but Mr. Dawson Kafwaya, a former government official who served prior to his own appointment as minister.
“For the record, I was not a minister in 2016 when the Constitutional Court made that ruling. I was appointed as Minister of Works and Supply in 2018 and in 2019 was transferred to Ministry of Transport and Communications under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” Hon. Kafwaya stated.
The clarification follows a recent Diggers.News story quoting the Vice-President, who named four former ministers Kambwili, Kaunda, Shamenda, and Kafwaya as having not yet repaid funds received after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016.
The Lunte lawmaker further expressed disappointment with certain online commentators who, without verifying facts, have circulated misleading narratives aimed at damaging his reputation.
“People must learn to check the facts before rushing to comment. The truth is available and clear,” he added.
Hon. Kafwaya emphasized that his focus remains on serving the people of Lunte and contributing to the broader national discourse on accountability, good governance, and economic recovery.
I’ll RESTORE SATA’S PATRIOTISM – KALABA … Let’s vote out colonialist stooges at State House profiting from national assets
Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba says Zambians must entrust him with political power so he can restore the ideal of national patriotism that drove the late president Michael Sata against the neocolonialists ‘proteges’ at State House and in the UPND administration.
Speaking on the occasion to mark 11 years since the death of 5th Republican president Sata who died on October 28, 2014 at King Edward VII Hospital in London, United Kingdom, Kalaba said those looking at restoring national love must instead get him and the CF elected into office by removing ‘neocolonialist stooges’ at State House and in government, whom he said profiteered by ripping off national assets to their neocolonialist masters and themselves.
Kalaba said Sata was a nationalist who put Zambia first by embarking on a massive infrastructure drive in the country against capital outflows by multinationals, as well as by his instruction to then finance minister Alexander Chikwanda to issue a statutory instrument against exports of raw copper.
He said the ideals Sata stood for contrasted sharply with those of neocolonialists who were today in charge of Zambia, and had gone about ensuring a ripoff of the country’s resources, including reducing government’s stake in important national assets like Kansanshi mine and returning the Konkola Copper Mines to Vedanta.
Kalaba said those in government had ripped off Mopani Mine and slug dumps by selling it to themselves and their fellow neocolonialist friends against the interest of Zambians. He said the UPND government had undertaken to make a kill from national assets where ZESCO was now being ripped off in broad day light as unscrupulous private companies were hastly registered in order to be issued with contracts for the export of electricity to neighbouring countries, while Zambians laboured in darkness.
He said electricity to Zambians was being provided only for four hours, while dangling a “carrot” to those in compounds by giving them last minute energy for only 10 hours in the hope that they could use their huge numbers to vote for the ruling UPND.
“But what is four or 10 hours out of the 24 hours in a nation where people have been used to having unfettered electricity supply?” Kalaba asked. “Let them simply provide adequate electricity without using companies connected to them from profiteering at the expense of Zambians.”
He said if Zambians voted for the UPND in 2026, they would bear the brunt of blackouts that would likely last the entire five year term into 2031.
TANZANIANS PROTEST AS GENERAL ELECTIONS GET UNDERWAY
The youth, chanting and waving, took over a major highway to express their frustration.
Tension is building in Tanzania as protesters take to the streets amid the ongoing General Elections.
In video clips seen by The Star, groups of young people were captured blocking roads, interrupting traffic, and confronting police officers.
The youth, chanting and waving, took over a major highway to express their frustration.
The situation quickly escalated when some protesters began throwing stones at police officers, prompting the officers to fire teargas to disperse the crowds.
Earlier on, the government had cautioned against protests, warning that such would not be tolerated.
Police had stationed tanks around the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, to prevent unrest.
The elections began early morning, with a reported low turnout. The main challengers to President Samia Suluhu were either jailed or barred from contesting.
Suluhu is a former vice-president who took office after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021.
When Suluhu took office, she initially reversed several of Magufuli’s hardline policies.
She lifted the ban on political rallies and extended an olive branch to opposition leaders — steps that earned her praise both at home and abroad.
However, optimism soon faded as her government was later accused of reverting to restrictive practices reminiscent of the previous administration, dampening expectations of real political reform.
In April, Tundu Lissu, the vice-chair of the leading opposition party, Chadema, was arrested and charged with treason and cybercrime offences.
Samia’s CCM has won every election since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992, but the campaigns are usually vibrant with robust debate between the rival parties.
As reported by BBC, young people make up the majority of Tanzania’s 37.7 million people registered voters – and there is anger from some over the president’s silence on issues like the shocking abductions.
The election commission says it will announce the results within three days of election day.
Makebi Zulu Eyes Presidential Bid — Pledges to Heal, Unite, justice, and Constitutional Order in Zambia
By BARNABAS ZULU
LUSAKA — Prominent constitutional lawyer and former Eastern Province Minister, Hon. Makebi Zulu, has formally announced his intention to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 general elections, promising to lead a transformative movement anchored on justice, unity, reconciliation, and constitutional integrity.
In an exclusive statement to the Daily Nation, Hon. Zulu — a respected legal mind and former Member of Parliament for Malambo — said his decision was driven by a deep desire to restore national harmony and rebuild public confidence in governance.
“As Zambia continues to redefine its future, I am guided by one enduring conviction — the strength of our Republic rests on respect for the Constitution and fidelity to justice,” he said.
A Call for Healing and Renewal
Hon. Zulu pledged to steer Zambia away from a culture of vengeance, retribution, and vindictiveness, which he said had fractured the country’s unity and spirit of togetherness.
“Leadership must first heal and then build,” he said. “It must restore faith in governance, protect citizens’ rights, and create opportunities for every community.”
He emphasized that his vision for Zambia is one of inclusive leadership — where political discourse is grounded in civility, mutual respect, and a shared sense of national purpose.
*Strong Calls for His Candidacy*
Across the country, there has been growing momentum from traditional leaders, the Church, civil society organizations, and youth movements, urging Hon. Zulu to enter the presidential race under the Patriotic Front (PF) banner ahead of the party’s elective general assembly slated for December.
Many view him as a unifying and disciplined leader capable of bridging political divides and restoring trust in public institutions. His supporters describe him as a “new generation leader” — youthful, visionary, and grounded in principles of integrity, accountability, and people-centered development.
*A Record of Service and Integrity*
Reflecting on his public service record, Hon. Zulu said his tenure as Eastern Province Minister and Member of Parliament had strengthened his belief in leadership that serves, listens, and uplifts.
“My duty has always been to safeguard the rule of law, defend institutions, and promote accountable leadership. Our journey as a nation demands sober reflection and responsible voices,” he said.
A loyal ally of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Hon. Zulu has often been praised for his measured and calm leadership style, earning him the respect of both colleagues and opponents.
Championing Internal Democracy
Hon. Zulu expressed satisfaction with the internal democratic processes within the Patriotic Front, which he described as a model of constitutionalism and maturity in party governance.
“I am happy with the internal democracy in the Patriotic Front as enshrined in our party constitution and Article 60 of the Republican Constitution, which encourages all political parties to embrace internal democracy. This is a true sign of growing democracy within the Mighty Patriotic Front,” Hon. Zulu said.
He added that this commitment to inclusivity and transparency reflects the guidance of the Sixth Republican President, the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu (MHSRIP), who consistently urged PF members to coexist as one family and promote unity of purpose.
“Indeed, we have seen how this spirit of unity has continued to manifest — look at how Independence Day has been celebrated by PF members across all ten provinces. It is a clear signal of solidarity, resilience, and readiness to form the next government in 2026,” Hon. Zulu observed.
A National Conversation on the Future
Hon. Zulu announced that in the coming weeks, he would embark on a nationwide stakeholder engagement tour, meeting citizens, youth, students, faith leaders, and professionals to collectively envision Zambia’s path beyond 2026.
“This conversation is not about partisanship,” he noted. “It is about principles — discipline in public office, equity in economic growth, and unity under the law.”
He appealed to Zambians to engage constructively in shaping a national agenda focused on healing, dignity, and prosperity for all.
“Let this dialogue begin with clarity of purpose, civility in tone, and hope in our collective capacity to build a nation that truly serves its people,” he said.
Positioning for 2026
Hon. Zulu’s announcement positions him among the key contenders for the Patriotic Front presidency, as the former ruling party seeks to redefine its identity and strategy ahead of the 2026 elections. His entry is expected to energize the national political landscape and draw attention from both domestic and international observers keen to see Zambia’s democratic renewal.
STOP ILLEGAL CAMPAIGNS AND ILLEGA ENDORSEMENTS UNTIL CENTRAL COMMITTEE PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND CAMPAIGNS ARE OFFICIALLY OPEN
Lusaka-Wednesday, 29th October 2025
We have noted with serious concerns, a series of public statements and party activities culminating into unsanctioned presidential campaigns and purported endorsements by party members or party structures.
These acts amount to lawlessness and cause damage to the reputation as they display a party to be perceived as one experiencing disarray and chaos.
The Patriotic Front is a structured party guided by rules, regulations, and adheres to discipline.
It is for this reason that we have fought relentlessly in the courts-of-law to reject the fierce state attempts to steal and destroy the Party as our Party Constitution is our guiding light to deal with both internal and external challenges and difficulties.
Following the demise of Zambia’s Sixth President who was also PF Party President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, that the party has embarked on a process to reorganize its leadership as guided by the Party Constitution.
It must be noted that the last Central Committee that was held on 6th October 2025, chaired by Acting Party President Given Lubinda, guided, that under the current circumstances where His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu passed on but has not been put to rest, that the following actions should be taken; 1. To inform the family and seek guidance from the former First Family as the party seeks the way forward and the proposed General Conference.
2. A Committee was set up to urgently prepare for the Conference, it’s date, formulate campaign guidelines and rules of engagement. The Committee was further tasked to prepare logistics, structure and modalities of holding the Conference. The Committee is headed by Lupososhi MP and Chairperson of the Party, Hon. Emmanuel Musonda Mpankanta.
3. To deal with the proposal to open up presidential campaigns beyond the nine presidential aspirants that paid the K200,000.
It has therefore become imperative that senior leaders such as Members of the Central Committee, Members of Parliament and other leaders support the work of the Central Committee and the leadership of Acting President Given Lubinda and Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda to particularly help promote a sense of unity, a sense of common purpose and a special focus to keep the Party intact under the current circumstances where our patriarch Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu was no longer available with us.
Further be informed that an urgent Central Committee Meeting has since been called to discuss these matters and also roll-out the strategy for voter registration and voter mobilization.
The Central Committee Meeting will be held on Sunday 2nd November 2025.
Leaders of the Party, party structures and followers are advised to adhere to the guidelines so far provided and refrain from engaging in illegal activities such as endorsements as failing to do so, would be to act in a lawless manner and these fall in the clear realm of anarchy and indiscipline.
Further lower structures are encouraged to promote and particpate in the voter registration exercise currently underway even as they wait for guidance from the top leadership.
Issued by;
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba Chairperson for Information and Publicity Member of the Central Committee
Zambia Men’s National Team Coach, Avram Grant, has resigned after close to 3 years in his position
FAZ, GRANT PART WAYS
Press Statement (For Immediate Release) Football Association of Zambia Football House, Lusaka 29th October 2025
FAZ, GRANT PART WAYS
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that it has mutually separated with Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant.
FAZ general secretary Machacha Shepande says both parties agreed to mutually separate to help chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has agreed to mutually separate with Zambia Senior Men’s National Team coach Avram Grant. The two parties agreed to mutually separate with FAZ wishing Mr. Grant the best of luck in his future endeavours,” Shepande says.
“The rest of the details will be communicated in due course. For now can only thank Mr. Grant for his contribution to the Zambian game.”
FAZ appointed Grant as head coach on December 22, 2022 on a two-year deal.
Grant oversaw two back-to-back AFCON qualifications in 2024 and 2025/26 editions.
Zambia is due to participate in the Morocco 2025 AFCON edition where the Chipolopolo are in Group A alongside Morocco, Mali and Comoros.
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA Nkweto Tembwe HEAD OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
TELL HH, POLICE TO ALLOW OPPOSITION CAMPAIGNS – LUBINDA
GIVEN Lubinda says Cornelius Mweetwa should advise President Hakainde Hichilema to instruct the police to stop preventing the opposition from campaigning.
The PF Acting President was responding to Mweetwa, who said there was no law which prevents any citizen from going out to interact and share their views with citizens in public spaces.
In an interview, Monday, Lubinda said Mweetwa’s statements about opposition campaign freedoms were hypocritical.
https://youtu.be/PwTjUQRiJso?si=_V1u2HKJTIyK0DGZ
“I advise Cornelius Mweetwa to go and explain that to President Hakainde, so that President Hakainde can further instruct his Inspector General of Police that the Inspector General of Police must not stop people who are notifying him of their desire to have campaign rallies”.
I HAVE REJECTED OFFERS FROM TRADITIONAL FUNDERS OF POLITICS – SANGWA
JOHN Sangwa says he has declined offers from the traditional funders of politics, insisting that he wants Zambians to provide funding.
The Movement for National Renewal leader also says the Terms of Reference for the Technical Committee on Constitutional amendment are a scam.
Speaking when he featured on Diamond TV’s Costa programme, Sunday, Sangwa argued that political experience was not a yardstick to the presidency.
https://youtu.be/PwTjUQRiJso?si=_V1u2HKJTIyK0DGZ
He added that despite individuals having experience, the country was “in the toilet”.
“I have heard this talk about experience, ‘no, you lack experience’ and so forth. My answer is very simple: where has that experience taken us in 60 years? What is the outcome of that political experience that people market?
WE ARE SORRY FOR THE PAIN AND CONFUSION WE CAUSED TO ZAMBIANS, SAYS PF
The Patriotic Front (PF) States That It Is Deeply Sorry And Remorseful For The Pain And Confusion Its Cadres Caused To Zambians While The Party Was In Government.
The PF Have Since Pledged To Never Tolerate Or Condone Cadrerism And Thuggery Behaviour Once Re-elected In The 2026 General Elections.
https://youtu.be/PwTjUQRiJso?si=_V1u2HKJTIyK0DGZ
We Want To End Load-Shedding, Hunger, Poverty, Lower The Cost Of Living & Further Increase Your Salaries So That You Can Buy Vehicles, Not Using Zam-Foot Everyday To Work, The PF Added.
Technical committee on constitution is a dead project – Changala
By Mubanga Mubanga
Civil rights activist Brebner Changala says the technical committee that has been constituted to amend the constitution by President Hakainde Hichilema are a “brought in dead” project.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Changala said the technical committee has been made to do an exercise that has been roundly condemned by the Zambian people.
“The technical committee that was appointed by the president, is a bid, it is a bid brought in dead. It has been made to do an exercise that has been roundly condemned, roundly rejected by society.
This bill, bill ten (7) has been declared unconstitutional by the constitutional court. So, the government through the executive wants to facade the people of Zambia,” Changala said. “But l want to remind them that the constitution is not for one individual, it is not for a political party. Neither, it is there to serve partisan interests. It is there to
WHEN YOU HEAR A GOV’T TALK ABOUT PRICE CONTROLS, THEN THEY HAVE FAILED – MWANZA
DEMOCRATIC Progressive Party President, Antonio Mwanza has condemned government’s reported intention to reintroduce price controls on essential commodities such as fertilizer, cooking oil, and sugar.
This follows remarks attributed to Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga in a local tabloid, suggesting that producers have a moral obligation to pass on the benefits of the appreciating Kwacha to consumers.
https://youtu.be/PwTjUQRiJso?si=_V1u2HKJTIyK0DGZ
Mr. Mulenga reportedly said he would recommend to Cabinet the introduction of uniform prices for essential goods across the country to ensure consumers benefit from the stable currency.
However, Mr. Mwanza has described the proposal as “economically reckless,” arguing that it exposes what he termed as the UPND administration’s lack of innovative solutions to address the rising cost of living and the high cost of doing business in Zambia.
“Instead of tackling the root causes of high commodity prices, government is opting for populist shortcuts that will ultimately hurt producers, farmers, traders, and ordinary citizens alike,” said Mr. Mwanza in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He stressed that history has repeatedly shown that price controls are ineffective, often resulting in shortages, black markets, and economic distortions that harm the very people such policies aim to protect.
“Price controls are not a solution, they are a confession of failure,” said Mr. Mwanza.
He further urged government to stop engaging in populist policies and instead address the underlying causes of Zambia’s economic challenges, including corruption, policy inconsistency, overdependence on imports, and the neglect of local industries.
Mr. Mwanza also called on Zambians to reject what he termed as deceptive policies and demand leadership that thinks, plans, and produces, not one that blames and controls.
EASTERN CHIEFS DELAY CONSTITUTION SUBMISSIONS PENDING CONSULTATIONS AS CARITAS OPTS OUT OF THE PROCESS
Chiefs in Eastern Province have postponed their submissions on the ongoing Constitution Amendment process to an unspecified date saying they need more time to consult Paramount Chiefs and other senior traditional leaders.
The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments yesterday began receiving submissions in Chipata.
Speaking to the media after a closed-door meeting between traditional leaders and the Committee, Eastern Province Council of Chiefs Chairperson Chief Mnukwa said the chiefs have neither accepted nor rejected any of the proposed amendments.
He explains that the traditional leadership in the province believes consultations must first be made with principal chiefs before any official position is submitted adding that the views of Paramount Chiefs and other senior chiefs will be key in shaping their final stance.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Council of Churches in Zambia Chairperson, Reverend Sonye Banda says the current consultation process lacks credibility arguing that it should have begun from the lowest governance structures to ensure grassroots participation.
Rev. Banda further states that the amendment process should be deferred until after the 2026 General Election to allow the public to fully understand the changes being proposed.
He also stressed the need to scrutinize provisions that could allow Members of Parliament to remain in office beyond two terms.
https://youtu.be/wmHTh-U040w?si=Qz4PD5PLc6RmI5g-
And some citizens who made submissions echoed similar sentiments, calling for the postponement of the exercise.
They have urged the suspension of the process and instead focus on preparations for the 2026 elections as many of the province’s over 2-million residents are not aware of the consultations despite their input being vital.
THE 94% ILLUSION: ZAMBIA’S DEBT RESTRUCTURING REQUIRES DEEPER SCRUTINY
Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane’s assertion that 94% of Zambia’s eligible debt has been restructured, based on the official creditors’ Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paints an overly optimistic picture that warrants critical scrutiny. While an MoU is a vital step, equating it with completed “restructuring” conflates an agreement in principle with legal and financial finality.
The Minister’s defense rests on the premise that the MoU represents the successful restructuring of 94% of the debt. This position is flawed on many fronts:
1. The Minister’s Claim: The MoU signifies 94% completion because creditors collectively agreed to the financial terms, and the bilateral agreements are merely a “legal translation.”
However, MoU is non-binding in itself; it sets the stage for the binding bilateral agreements. The actual debt restructuring is only finalized when the individual, legally binding bilateral agreements are signed and executed. Until all bilateral agreements are concluded and implemented, the process is incomplete, and the threat of default or complications remains. The Minister himself admitted that only 57% of the debt has been covered by concluded bilateral agreements with India, Saudi Arabia, France, and China. This 57% figure is the concrete measure of progress, not the 94% MoU figure.
2. The Minister’s Claim: He mentions that without debt restructuring, the 2024 service cost for Eurobonds alone would have been $2.6 billion.
It is critical to note that the 94% figure relates to the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) debt (Paris Club and G20 non-Paris Club members). It critically excludes the major commercial creditors, notably the Eurobond holders and other private lenders. Zambia’s total external debt includes this private component, and a comprehensive and sustainable debt resolution requires an agreement with all major creditor groups. A “successful” restructuring must deliver comparable treatment from private creditors, a process that has been notoriously challenging and is not fully covered by the Minister’s 94% figure.
3. The Minister’s Claim: The focus should be on results, such as lower debt service payments.
Nevertheless, the core issue is whether the new debt terms (as outlined in the MoU and subsequent agreements) are truly sustainable for Zambia’s economy in the long run, and whether they satisfy the IMF’s debt sustainability analysis (DSA). The extent of the debt relief (in terms of net present value reduction) is what matters, not just the temporary deferral of payments. If the restructured terms simply push obligations into the future without sufficient principal reduction, it may create a “debt overhang” that stifles future growth, despite the Minister’s positive economic indicators.
4. The Minister’s Claim: Cites economic growth, rising reserves, mine expansion, and social programs (free education, hiring of teachers/health workers) as proof of government success and a justification for the debt process.
While these indicators are positive and laudable, they are partially enabled by the suspension of debt servicing to many creditors during the protracted restructuring process, effectively freeing up cash for domestic spending. Attributing these gains solely to the success of the restructuring process before its full legal conclusion is premature. Furthermore, significant risks remain, as a failure to finalize the remaining 43% of bilateral agreements and successfully negotiate with commercial creditors could destabilize the current positive trend.
The Finance Minister’s confidence is understandable, but his arithmetic is misleading. The 94% figure is a diplomatic benchmark, not a financial reality. It’s a celebratory snapshot of a half-built bridge. Until the remaining 43% of bilateral agreements are inked and, crucially, a comparable deal is struck with private Eurobond holders, Zambia’s debt crisis remains a live threat, not a closed chapter.
To suggest otherwise is to invite complacency where vigilance is still paramount. Zambians deserve a figure that reflects signed law, not an agreeable promise. The true restructuring percentage is 57%, not 94%. The 94% is not a measure of success; it is a measure of remaining work.
The Struggle Continues
Sensio Banda Former Member of Parliament Kasenengwa Constituency Eastern Province
The bench warrant for Patriotic Front –PF- faction Information and Publicity Chairperson, EMMANUEL MWAMBA, has been extended.
The LUSAKA Magistrates’ Court has prolonged the bench warrant, initially issued in February this year, after Mr. MWAMBA, who is currently in the United States, failed to appear in court today.
This relates to a case in which Mr. MWAMBA is charged with assaulting a police officer on June 16, 2023 in LUSAKA’s Woodlands area.
https://youtu.be/wmHTh-U040w?si=Qz4PD5PLc6RmI5g-
When the matter was called before LUSAKA Senior Resident Magistrate TREVOUR KASANDA, the prosecution informed the court that the bench warrant had not yet been executed.
Magistrate KASANDA consequently extended the warrant and adjourned the matter to November 28, 2025 for mention.
Mr. MWAMBA is also facing another charge of disorderly conduct at a police station.
CAAC URGES PF TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUELING CORRUPTION
By: Prudence Mutelo
The Community Action Against Corruption (CAAC) has urged the former ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to take responsibility for its role in fostering corruption within Zambia’s governance structures.
CAAC Chief Executive Officer Brightone Tembo stated that the PF’s actions weakened state institutions and normalized the misuse of public resources, contributing to systemic corruption.
Mr. Tembo clarified that CAAC’s criticism of the PF should not be seen as an endorsement of the current administration, which he accused of failing to demonstrate a strong, fair, and nonselective approach to fighting corruption four years into its tenure.
He criticized the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for allegedly focusing on former PF officials while ignoring corruption allegations within the current regime.
Citing the 2023 and 2024 Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) reports and Auditor General’s findings, CAAC expressed concern that corruption remains widespread in public institutions.
Mr. Tembo has since called on the government to show genuine political will by promoting transparency and accountability across all sectors.
He emphasized that only a consistent, nonpartisan approach to fighting corruption can restore public trust and reinforce Zambia’s democratic governance. #SunFmTvNews
UPND COMMENDS GOVERNMENT FOR EFFORTS TO REPATRIATE LATE PRESIDENT’S REMAINS
Lusaka, Monday, October 27, 2025 — United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has commended the government for its role in ensuring that the remains of Zambia’s late Sixth President are brought back home for a befitting burial.
Speaking during an interview on Crown TV’s Breakfast Show, Mr. Simuuwe also expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema, saying the Head of State has demonstrated great restraint and leadership despite being unfairly criticized over matters beyond his control.
“President Hichilema has been called so many names for something he did not cause. His silence does not mean he is not human or immune to pain. It is simply a matter of principle, he chooses not to respond to issues that do not alter his focus or thinking,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
Mr. Simuuwe criticized Lusaka lawyer Makebi Zulu, who he said had done a disservice to the former First Family through his public statements. He argued that if Mr. Zulu wished to portray the former president as a victim, he should recall that President Hichilema himself endured far worse treatment under the previous regime.
“Mr. Zulu has not even been detained for a week. President Hichilema was imprisoned for over three months without breaking any law and was arrested more than 15 times under former President Edgar Lungu’s administration. Despite all this, he chose not to take the path of revenge when he assumed office,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
https://youtu.be/wmHTh-U040w?si=Qz4PD5PLc6RmI5g-
Mr. Simuuwe noted that upon taking office, President Hichilema made it clear that his priority was economic transformation, not retribution.
He highlighted the New Dawn Administration’s achievements, including the ongoing debt restructuring process, revitalization of the mining and agriculture sectors, implementation of free education, and the increase of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to $1 million, now at $1.6 million per constituency. He also cited progress on the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, which he said is being constructed at nearly half the cost previously estimated by the former government, as well as the restoration of the rule of law and peace.
“These are some of the success stories that have defined the New Dawn Government’s four years in office,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
He questioned why some individuals were trying to prevent President Hichilema from attending the funeral of his predecessor, calling such behavior un-African and disrespectful to cultural norms.
“What did President Hichilema do to President Lungu to warrant suggestions that he should not even attend his funeral? In our culture, stalling a burial procession is taboo, almost akin to witchcraft or ritual practices. The dead know nothing; it is the living who must ensure a dignified send-off,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
He added that all state functions, including the burial of a former Head of State, fall under the authority of the sitting President, and as such, it would be inappropriate to suggest that the Vice President should preside over such an event.
Mr. Simuuwe further accused Mr. Zulu of making “irresponsible and malicious” statements, alleging that his conduct is politically motivated.
“Mr. Zulu’s representation of the former First Family is unacceptable due to the political overtones and personal ambitions he has displayed. He is free to contest politically, but he must not use a grieving family or a funeral to advance his political agenda,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
He emphasized that the UPND will not allow anyone to “politicize the death of a former Head of State” or use it as a campaign platform.
“There is no country that buries a former president like an ordinary citizen,” he said.
Mr Simuuwe has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a dignified state funeral for the late leader.
PANJI KAUNDA, KAMBWILI FAIL TO REFUND ILLEGAL 2016 PAYOUTS
By Darius Choonya
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi and former Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Panji Kaunda, is among four former cabinet ministers who have not paid back the money they illegally accrued in 2016 when Parliament was dissolved ahead of the general election.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has named the other three as Dr. Chishimba Kambwili, Fackson Shamenda, and Dawson Kafwaya.
Mrs. Nalumango revealed that the total amount owed is K230,064 and that the matter has been referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action.
https://youtu.be/wmHTh-U040w?si=Qz4PD5PLc6RmI5g-
In 2016, the Constitutional Court ruled that ministers who overstayed in office after the dissolution of Parliament should refund the salaries and allowances they received, amounting to K4.3 million.
YOUTH ADVOCATE MUKUKA DEMANDS RETURN OF TRAFFIC CHECKPOINTS AND BAN OF TINTED WINDOWS ON CARS
By Staff Reporter Youth Alliance Zambia President Tiza Mukuka has urged the Minister of Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, to immediately reinstate traffic police checkpoints across Lusaka, warning that the suspension of these operations has left residents vulnerable to criminals moving freely in vehicles.
Mukuka expressed concern over the growing insecurity, recounting a recent incident at Munali Shopping Mall, where he allegedly saw what appeared to be a gun placed on the back seat of a car while shopping.
He emphasized that traffic checkpoints act as a vital deterrent against criminal activity and called for their urgent reintroduction, along with increased inspections.
Mukuka further proposed that authorities ban tinted vehicle windows to enhance police visibility and public safety.
Disappointed Kabanana residents vow not to “WASTE TIME” registering as voters
Disappointed with the UPND government, some women in Lusaka’s Kabanana township have vowed that they have no time to waste by going to register as voters.
The women said they would rather spend time looking for “coins” to feed their families as opposed to getting voter’s card, saying they are deeply disappointed with the UPND administration.
The women were complaining to 2026 presidential Hopeful Ackim Antony Njobvu who was in the area to inspect the voter registration exercise at Kabanana Primary school where he only found two people.
President Njobvu was informed that since the process started, the highest number recorded was 74.
Njobvu who was in the company of his secretary general Kaunda Phiri expressed worry at the poor turnout.
And some members of the community have attributed the poor response to lack of awareness, saying the media sensitization on TV is not effective due to over 20 hours of load sheding.
https://youtu.be/wmHTh-U040w?si=Qz4PD5PLc6RmI5g-
The residents appealed to the ECZ – Electoral Commission of Zambia to implore effective ways of sensitization such as door to door.
Meanwhile, Njobvu urged the community to find time and register as voters. He advised the people that if they want to see change, it can only be through the ballot box in next year’s elections, words echoed by his SG Kaunda Phiri.
The nation was left in darkness, quite literally, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Parliament on 28 October 2025 was interrupted by a power cut. The blackout plunged the chamber into near total darkness and forced the President to finish his address under the beam of a torch held by an aide. The extraordinary moment has triggered widespread outrage and a high-level investigation, with the Speaker of Parliament issuing a furious warning.
What Happened During The President’s Speech? Eyewitnesses confirmed that the blackout struck in the last ten minutes of Mnangagwa’s address. Video footage showed the chamber suddenly in gloom, while an aide quickly stepped forward with a torch to allow the President to continue reading his prepared remarks.
Reports state that as soon as Mnangagwa concluded, electricity was restored. Witnesses also noted that an aide attempted to persuade him to stop speaking in the dark, but the President insisted on finishing. He appeared visibly angry as he left the chamber.
This was not the first such incident. In November 2024, a budget speech was also interrupted by a blackout. At the time, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) blamed “an act of nature,” citing storms that caused a 132kv feeder to trip at Mt Hampden.
What Did The Speaker Say About The Blackout? Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda reacted immediately with strong words. Addressing MPs after the disruption, he said:
“The person who switched off electricity while the President was speaking will regret the day he was born.”
He apologised to the President and vowed that Parliament would “chase the culprit.” His language fuelled speculation that the outage might have been a deliberate act of sabotage rather than a technical problem.
Why Did The Power Go Out Despite Backup Plans? Parliament had drawn up detailed measures to avoid exactly this kind of embarrassment. A letter dated 21 October 2025, written by Acting Clerk of Parliament N.A. Sunga to Dr J. Bhasera, the Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, set out the power arrangements for the SONA.
The letter confirmed that the address would run on a generator as the primary source of power, with ZESA electricity on standby. It instructed that:
“The generator must be serviced, fully tested, and confirmed fit for uninterrupted operation during the event.”
“ZETDC technical staff should be physically on standby throughout the proceedings to provide immediate response if required.”
“Parliament will ensure timely payment to the service provider contracted for the generator service as well as the provision of adequate fuel to power the system throughout the duration of the event.”
The letter was also copied to the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, the Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, and the Chief Executive Officer of ZETDC, showing how high-level the preparations were meant to be.
The generator started running at 12:00 PM. Sources said the generator itself experienced a technical fault at around 2:30PM.
A parliamentary source explained the chain of events, stating, “It appears ZESA engineers turned power on, but engineers from local government took a bit too long to lift the breaker to change the power source back to ZESA.”
This revelation suggests that the blackout resulted from a logistical delay between engineering teams rather than a deliberate act of sabotage.
Instead of ensuring a flawless event, the very backup plan designed to prevent disruption became the cause of the blackout. The delay in switching from generator to ZESA left the chamber in darkness until the President finished his speech.
What Happens Next? Speaker Mudenda has vowed to “chase the culprit,” promising accountability for the disruption. However, with the evidence pointing to a generator failure and delayed switching by engineers, the focus now shifts to whether individuals will be blamed or whether the issue will be treated as a wider systems failure.
At the time of writing, neither Parliament nor ZESA has released a formal statement beyond initial reports. The unanswered questions remain: who exactly was responsible for the delayed switch and whether Parliament’s own oversight contributed to the embarrassment.
Mnangagwa Reads SONA In Darkness As Power Goes Off In Parliament The Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Jacob Mudenda, has issued a fiery threat, vowing that the person responsible for switching off the electricity during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address will “regret the day he was born.” The dramatic statement was made to fellow MPs after the presidential speech was plunged into near darkness, creating a major disruption during a key national event on October 28, 2025.
According to ZimLive, the power failure struck during the final ten minutes of President Mnangagwa’s address. The outage forced the President to complete his speech under the dim light of a torch held by an aide. The timing and swift restoration of power immediately after he finished speaking raised immediate questions and tempers within the parliamentary chamber.
Chaos And Anger In The Dark The blackout caused visible chaos and frustration. An aide attempted to persuade President Mnangagwa to stop his speech rather than continue under the makeshift torchlight. The President, however, insisted on finishing his address. Witnesses described him as appearing visibly angry as he departed the chamber immediately after the incident. In the aftermath, Speaker Mudenda offered a formal apology for the embarrassing interruption.
Speaker Mudenda told the assembled MPs, “The person who switched off electricity while the President was speaking will regret the day he was born.”
This is not the first time a crucial parliamentary event has been interrupted by a power outage. A similar incident occurred during a budget speech in November of the previous year. On that occasion, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) attributed the blackout to natural causes. A parliamentary statement at the time explained that “thunderstorms and high winds affected overhead lines, resulting in tripping at a 132kv feeder that supplies power to a substation which feeds power to Mt Hampden.”
A Revealing Twist In The Tale A subsequent exclusive report revealed a potential administrative failure. Parliament had arranged explicitly for ZESA to act as the standby power source for the important event, with a generator running as the primary source from 12PM. Sources said the generator itself experienced a technical fault at around 2:30PM.
A parliamentary source explained the chain of events, stating, “It appears ZESA engineers turned power on, but engineers from local government took a bit too long to lift the breaker to change the power source back to ZESA.”
This revelation suggests that the blackout resulted from a logistical delay between engineering teams rather than a deliberate act of sabotage. Despite this, Speaker Mudenda continued to publicly pursue a “culprit” for the profound embarrassment caused to the head of state.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa read the final 10 minutes of his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in near darkness after a sudden power outage plunged Parliament into darkness on Tuesday afternoon.
An aide was seen holding a torch to help the President finish his speech. Moments after Mnangagwa concluded, power was mysteriously restored – prompting Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to suggest the blackout was not accidental.
“The person who switched off electricity while the President was speaking will regret the day he was born,” Mudenda told MPs, vowing that Parliament would “chase the culprit.”
Mudenda later apologised to the President – who had already left the chamber – for the embarrassing incident, saying an investigation had been launched to determine the cause.
Mnangagwa appeared visibly irritated as he exited the building. Witnesses said one of his aides attempted to stop him from continuing the address under torchlight, but the President insisted on finishing.
This is the second time such an incident has occurred. In November last year, lights went out during the presentation of the national budget, also in Mnangagwa’s presence. At the time, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) blamed the outage on “an act of nature,” saying thunderstorms and high winds had caused tripping at a 132kV feeder supplying Parliament through the Mt Hampden substation.
The latest disruption, however, has triggered speculation of sabotage, given its timing and Mudenda’s unusually strong remarks.
Officials from ZESA and Parliament had not yet issued a formal explanation by late Tuesday.
Yesterday we went to visit Hon Dr Chishimba Kambwili at his residence.
He is not well at all. He clearly needs medical attention.
He has an appointment for Monday, 27th October with his medical team in South Africa who are to calibrate his Sleep Aponea machine after they have conducted a sleep aponea analysis on him.
Apparently he needs the machine to stabilize his breathing when he is sleeping and it currently is malfunctioning due to dust accumulated where he has been the past months.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga have opened a murder and inquest investigation after three charred bodies were found inside a burnt-out vehicle.
The vehicle was discovered early on Friday, 24 October 2025, in the Boekehouthoek area near Kwaggafontein. Police identified the victims as 32-year-old Lucia Thembisile Mahiyane and her two children, Bokamoso and Karabo Ngele, aged 7 and 4. The 37-year-old suspect allegedly confessed to his uncle that he had killed his wife and children by setting them alight at the Zithabiseni Bridge area.
Police found the suspect at his grandparents’ home in Boekehouthoek, where he was foaming at the mouth and later died despite ambulance efforts, with preliminary investigations suggesting he ingested poison.
Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, Mpumalanga’s Provincial Commissioner of Police, condemned the act, stressing that domestic conflict and gender-based violence must be addressed through legal and counselling channels.
The case contributes to national concern over gender-based violence and family homicides, with investigators opening three counts of murder and an inquest docket.
